Tiger prawn

Tiger prawns farmed in extensive systems do not require commercial feed inputs.In extensive farm systems, all food is naturally derived from the surrounding pond. Therefore, there is no dependence on terrestrial or marine feed ingredients.

Organic production of tiger prawn does not allow the destruction of mangroves for pond construction. Only minimal essential chemical treatments are used, if at all, and pond discharges are low. Surrounding wild shrimp populations are not impacted by diseases or escapes from farms, but are used to supply juveniles, the status of which is uncertain. Methods of predator control are unknown, but may include lethal control. Historically, the destruction and loss of mangrove habitat due to shrimp farming activities has been one of the main environmental concerns with this production system around the world.Organic prawn farms avoid chemical usage and low stocking densities employed in tiger prawn production, results in minimal chemical and antibiotic use. Likewise, as there are no additional feed inputs effluent discharge is considered minimal. Organic production systems are required to minimise the impact on the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial environment.Biosecurity measures set out in organic certification standards limit disease outbreaks and escapes. Shrimp are susceptible to an array of diseases, particularly viral pathogens. Although farmed shrimp diseases can be transferred to wild populations, these wild stocks are not generally impacted in a significant way. Escapes of farmed tiger prawns, from extensive pond farms, is also a risk but it is unlikely that any population level impacts would occur as a result of competitive or genetic interactions with wild prawns, if escapes occurred as juveniles are sourced from wild population via natural influx. The stock status of wild tiger prawns is uncertain.Shrimp farming often requires the control of local predators. Organic standards permit lethal control in certain circumstances (i.e. when non-lethal methods have proved ineffective), in line with EU regulations. However, lethal control is not the norm, more usually the use of noise deterrents (such as firecrackers) and dogs are adequate to scare predators away from shrimp ponds. Lethal control of predators has been documented in some countries but unlikely to affect the population size of the affected species.

Organic certification standards ensure that best practices and guidelines are in place to address the welfare needs of animals within organic aquaculture.Health and welfare standards are referenced throughout the organic standards. Specific requirements address health and welfare of aquaculture animals, and humane slaughter, where techniques must render fish immediately unconscious and insensible to pain.

Independent organic certification standards address many of the issues of environmental concern, however, compliance cannot be assured for all. Vietnam and Madagascar require impact assessments but not strategic level planning. Management and regulation of the aquaculture sector needs to be better resourced to ensure effectiveness. A review of the sector indicates that effectiveness of the organic standards may not be able effectively manage the potential environmental impacts of the industry, particularly as the sector expands and production increases. Although organic standards address many of the production practice specific issues the issues of overarching regulation and management of the sector remain unchanged.The Soil Association defines organic farming as a system of farming and food production. Organic farmers aim to produce high quality food, using methods that benefit our whole food system, from people and planet, plant health to animal welfare. The score for this section reflects EU Organic, Naturland and Soil Association certified producers that are in full compliance with the standard.